Explore the vast range of titles available.

The recent surge in the application of geosciences in forensics has yielded significant insights into taphonomy and decomposition processes, particularly with regard to the identification and interpretation of evidence pertaining to the interaction between the cadaver and the outdoor post-depositional environment. Given that a substantial proportion of current knowledge about decomposition dynamics can be attributed to forensic taphonomy experiments utilizing pigs as human models, a literature review was conducted, focusing on experiments incorporating geosciences into their investigative techniques. The results demonstrated the crucial role of this approach in ensuring accurate interpretation of data, both in the context of forensic cases and in experimental research. Furthermore, this manuscript presents the opening of the first Italian non-human forensic taphonomy facility, which was inaugurated by the LABANOF of the University of Milan in 2009 at the Lombardy Park of the Ticino (PV). The facility strives to integrate the use of non-human animals as human models while upholding a high ethical standard and minimizing the construction of artifacts, thereby striving for forensic realism. Furthermore, the most recent project conducted at the Italian FTF establishes a connection between the outcomes of preceding projects and underscores the significance of a pragmatic and intellectual disposition that embraces interdisciplinary collaboration.

Most studies of decomposition in forensic entomology and taphonomy have used non-human cadavers. Following the recommendation of using domestic pig cadavers as analogues for humans in forensic entomology in the 1980s, pigs became the most frequently used model cadavers in forensic sciences. They have shaped our understanding of how large vertebrate cadavers decompose in, for example, various environments, seasons and after various ante- or postmortem cadaver modifications. They have also been used to demonstrate the feasibility of several new or well-established forensic techniques. The advent of outdoor human taphonomy facilities enabled experimental comparisons of decomposition between pig and human cadavers. Recent comparisons challenged the pig-as-analogue claim in entomology and taphonomy research. In this review, we discuss in a broad methodological context the advantages and disadvantages of pig and human cadavers for forensic research and rebut the critique of pigs as analogues for humans. We conclude that experiments using human cadaver analogues (i.e. pig carcasses) are easier to replicate and more practical for controlling confounding factors than studies based solely on humans and, therefore, are likely to remain our primary epistemic source of forensic knowledge for the immediate future. We supplement these considerations with new guidelines for model cadaver choice in forensic science research.

Determining the post-mortem interval (PMI) is often a critical goal in forensic casework. Consequently, the discipline of forensic taphonomy has involved considerable research efforts towards achieving this goal, with substantial strides made in the past 40 years. Importantly, quantification of decompositional data (and the models derived from them) and standardisation in experimental protocols are being increasingly recognised as key components of this drive. However, despite the discipline’s best efforts, significant challenges remain. Still lacking are standardisation of many core components of experimental design, forensic realism in experimental design, true quantitative measures of the progression of decay, and high-resolution data. Without these critical elements, large-scale, synthesised multi-biogeographically representative datasets – necessary for building comprehensive models of decay to precisely estimate PMI – remain elusive. To address these limitations, we propose the automation of taphonomic data collection. We present the world’s first reported fully automated, remotely operable forensic taphonomic data collection system, inclusive of technical design details. Through laboratory testing and field deployments, the apparatus substantially reduced the cost of actualistic (field-based) forensic taphonomic data collection, improved data resolution, and provided for more forensically realistic experimental deployments and simultaneous multi-biogeographic experiments. We argue that this device represents a quantum leap in experimental methodology in this field, paving the way for the next generation of forensic taphonomic research and, we hope, attainment of the elusive goal of precise estimation of PMI. •Marshall’s ‘Five Hindrances’ persist in forensic taphonomy research.•Automation of data collection proposed as solution.•World-first fully autonomous remote forensic taphonomic data collection system.•Outcomes: reduced research cost, improved data resolution, remote access to data.•The future? Large, synthesised taphonomic datasets and accurate PMI estimation.

Experimental taphonomy and neotaphonomic monitoring have become two relevant tools in interpreting modifications, and most especially in forensic investigations. Research facilities, where human decomposition experiments are carried out under controlled situations, provide a better understanding of the tapho–forensic history of cadaveric remains under specific environments and in different situations or even climates. There are, however, limitations of time to monitoring, such as space for experimentation and ethics, that do not always allow to carry out these types of investigations. The study presented here investigates the early post mortem modifications of the cadaveric state using animal models (pig autopods) simulating different forensic scenarios in accelerated time, under controlled climatic parameters, in different environmental contexts. This study was carried out under semi-arid conditions programmed in a climatic chamber. The aim of this study is to open a new range of knowledge in experimental taphonomy. As results of this experiment, different types of cadaveric states (such as total skeletonization, skeletonization with dry putrid matter, saponification and mummification) were obtained related to the type of contexts in which animal models were deposited (submerged or buried in wet or dry sediment). •Mummification and saponification have been reproduced in the laboratory.•Highly controlled conditions of climatic chamber improve understanding of decay.•The depositional context is decisive for the type of cadaveric state.•Taphonomic laboratory has proven to be very useful for forensic cases.

Forensic taphonomy investigates the postmortem processes of human remains, focusing on the environmental factors that influence decomposition. Recent studies have highlighted the potential forensic relevance of fungi in this context, but the knowledge base remains limited. This study explored fungal communities associated with outdoor human decomposition at the REST[ES] facility in Quebec. Nested PCR amplification and Illumina MiSeq sequencing were used to identify fungal species on discolored patches of twelve samples of desiccated soft tissues from three donors. Twelve fungal species were putatively identified, some of which were previously unknown on human remains, including Leucosporidium yakuticum, Tausania pullulans, and Fusicolla species. These fungi may contribute to tissue discoloration and following longitudinal investigation, could serve as biomarkers for forensic reconstructions, including place and time of death. This study emphasizes the need for further research into the role of fungi in human decomposition processes and their applications in forensic science. •We identified the first fungal species associated with human decomposition in Quebec.•Twelve fungal species were identified, some previously unknown on human remains.•The molecular identification of fungi avoided bias toward only culturable species.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of mummification in an indoor setting, with an emphasis on the forensic perspective. A dataset of 102 forensic autopsy cases was assessed for distribution of desiccation of skin and soft tissue (i.e., subcutaneous fat and musculature) and for moist decompositional (i.e., putrefactive) changes. Further, possible correlation with the post-mortem interval (PMI) was evaluated, as well as the effects of clothing coverage of the body. The results indicated that yellow to orange parchment-like desiccated skin was found at significantly shorter PMIs than reddish brown to black leathery desiccated skin, even when soft tissue desiccation was included in the comparative analysis. Clothing appeared to have a significant decelerating effect on the extent of desiccation on the legs, but findings in regard to whole body or torso/arms were inconclusive. A large variation in PMIs was evident as regards fully desiccated skin (PMI 18–217 days), indicating difficulties in PMI estimation due to a variable repressive effect on the decompositional process per se in an indoor setting. For the specific case in forensic practice, no definite conclusion can be drawn from the observed desiccation changes to the PMI. One way forward might be creating a systematic and standardized method for describing different desiccation types, as well as other cooccurring decompositional changes and how they relate to the PMI, as a foundation for a future quantification model.

Forensic taphonomy, the study of post-mortem processes, is pivotal in modern forensic science. This short communication illuminates limitations in traditional 2D imaging, specifically digital photographs, within forensic taphonomy, and highlights the vast potential of 3D modeling techniques. Drawing from a recent study in Hawaii’s tropical savanna, we unveil disparities between real-time observations and 2D photographs when assessing decomposition, emphasizing the importance of scoring method selection and the need to scrutinize 2D imaging’s accuracy in forensic taphonomy. Conversely, 3D modeling techniques, an emerging powerhouse in forensic science, offer multidimensional data, including volume, surface area, and spatial relationships, allowing for comprehensive and precise representation of decomposition dynamics. Despite concerns about texture quality, 3D models yield objective data amenable to analysis by multiple experts, thus minimizing subjectivity and augmenting the reliability of forensic assessments. The potential for 3D modeling to bridge the gap between 2D imaging and real-time decomposition requires tailored methodologies. Future research should focus on standardizing protocols and fostering collaboration among forensic experts, technologists, and researchers to unleash 3D technology’s full potential in advancing forensic taphonomy.

•ADD-based PMI estimation models cannot be validated experimentally.•TBS and TBSsurf models significantly over-estimated the PMI.•There was no relationship between known ADD and accumulated decay.•Temperature differences had a negligible effect on decomposition expression.•Seasonal variation in humidity is an important factor in decomposition. This study investigated the effect of seasonal variables on decomposition in the early post-mortem period using 26 donated human cadavers at the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Research Facility (ARF), USA. The rate and pattern of decomposition in human cadavers (as measured by TBS and the revised TBSsurf methods) did not vary significantly between all seasons. Summer and autumn cadavers had comparable rates of accelerated decomposition despite significant differences in both ADD and temperature (p<0.05). Spring cadavers had the slowest onset of decomposition characteristics, even compared to the few decomposition characteristics expressed in winter. Seasonal variation in humidity, rather than temperature, may be the overarching driving force for decomposition progression in the early post-mortem period. Both TBS and TBSsurf methods were poor predictors of the PMI (R2=0.4) and significantly over-estimated the PMI across all seasons, although to a lesser extent in spring. This study also demonstrated no relationship between known ADD and TBS/TBSsurf (R2=0.025). TBS and TBSsurf are ADD-based PMI estimation models that cannot be validated under experimental conditions. Accounting for seasonal expression of individual decomposition characteristics is needed for improvement of PMI predictability in forensic practice.

Vertebrate scavengers frequently affect forensic casework by feeding on human remains or by scattering body parts and bones. Therefore, animal activity can influence complete recovery of bodies, trauma analysis, and the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), potentially hampering identification of the deceased and elucidation of the perimortem circumstances. Experimental research is well suited to investigate scavengers and their impact on carcasses over time, generating knowledge on the forensic relevance of certain scavenger species or communities. However, there are currently no systematised standards to conduct these investigations with a forensic focus, impeding comparison and synthesis of the studies. In our work, we performed a systematic literature review and found 79 publications featuring terrestrial experiments on vertebrate scavenging and/or scattering within a forensic context. We extracted 21 variables describing the study environment, experimental design and the specimens. The results show that there is considerable inconsistency in the study designs and that some of the variables are insufficiently reported. We point out research questions and areas that require attention in future studies, stressing the importance of infrequently mentioned or applied variables. Furthermore, we recommend guidelines to include and report a list of variables in forensic scavenging and scattering experiments. These guidelines will help standardising future research in the field, facilitating inter-study consolidation of results and conclusions, and consequently, inform forensic casework. •Vertebrate scavengers are an important taphonomic variable.•We conducted a systematic literature following PRISMA guidelines.•There are 79 publications on forensic scavenging and scattering experiments.•Study designs are inconsistent and methodology is often poorly reported.•We provide a guideline to standardize future scavenging and scattering experiments.

Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) can be applied to solve inverse problems such as the post-mortem interval (PMI) by a simple and logical graphical representation of conditional dependencies between multiple taphonomic variables and the observable decomposition effect. This study is the first cross-comparison retrospective study of human decomposition across three different geographical regions. To assess the effect of the most influential taphonomic variables on the decomposition rate (as measured by the Total Decomposition Score (TDS)), decomposition data was examined from the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility at the University of Tennessee (n = 312), the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner in Pittsburgh, US (n = 250), and the Crime Scene Investigation department at Southwest Forensics in the UK (n = 81). Two different BBNs for PMI estimations were created from the US and the UK training data. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most influential parameters of TDS variance, with weaker variables (e.g., age, sex, clothing) being excluded during model refinement. The accuracy of the BBNs was then compared by additional validation cases: US (n = 28) and UK (n = 10). Both models conferred predictive power of the PMI and accounted for the unique combination of taphonomic variables affecting decomposition. Both models had a mean posterior probability of 86% (US) and 81% (UK) in favor of the experimental hypothesis (that the PMI was on, or less than, the prior last known alive date). Neither the US nor the UK datasets represented any cases below 'moderate' support for the value of PMI evidence. By applying coherent probabilistic reasoning to PMI estimations, one logical solution is provided to model the complexities of human decomposition that can quantify the combined effect of several uncertainties surrounding the PMI estimation. This approach communicates the PMI with an associated degree of confidence and provides predictive power on unknown PMI cases. •Bayesian Belief Networks can model the complex effects of taphonomic variables on decay.•PMI uncertainty can be quantified through probabilistic reasoning.•BBNs conferred predictive power of the PMI with a mean posterior probability of 86% (US) and 81% (UK).•75% of US validation cases had a PMI accuracy between 73% and 100%.•There were no cases below ‘moderate’ support for the value of PMI evidence in either model.